Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (film) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sonic the Hedgehog 2 |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Jeff Fowler |
| Produced by |
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| Screenplay by |
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| Story by |
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| Starring | |
| Music by | Tom Holkenborg |
| Cinematography | Brandon Trost |
| Editing by | Jim May |
| Studio |
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| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
| Release date(s) | March 30, 2022 (International) April 5, 2022 (Regency Village Theatre) April 8, 2022 (United States) |
| Running time | 122 minutes |
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| Language | English |
| Budget | $90–110 million |
| Money made | $402.7 million |
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is an exciting 2022 action-adventure comedy film. It is based on the popular video game series by Sega. This movie is the sequel to the first Sonic the Hedgehog film from 2020.
The film was directed by Jeff Fowler. The story was written by Pat Casey, Josh Miller, and John Whittington. Many actors from the first movie returned, including Ben Schwartz as Sonic's voice and Jim Carrey as Dr. Robotnik. New voices joined the cast, like Idris Elba as Knuckles.
In the movie, Sonic has settled into his new life in Green Hills. He tries to be a hero, but a big challenge arrives when the evil Doctor Robotnik returns. Robotnik isn't alone this time; he has a powerful new partner, Knuckles the Echidna. They are both searching for the amazing Master Emerald.
Because the first movie was so successful, Paramount Pictures announced a sequel in May 2020. The same director and writers came back for the second film. Filming took place from March to June 2021 in Vancouver and Hawaii.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 was released in many countries starting March 30, 2022. It came out in the United States on April 8. The movie earned over $402.7 million worldwide. This made it one of the highest-grossing video game films ever! Critics had mixed reviews, but many thought it was even better than the first movie. A third movie is planned for December 20, 2024. Also, a TV show about Knuckles is being made for 2023.
Contents
Movie Story: Sonic's New Adventure
About eight months after Sonic defeated Dr. Robotnik, Sonic is trying to be a hero. He wants to help people, but he's still learning. Tom and Maddie, Sonic's human family, go to Hawaii for a wedding. Tom tells Sonic to be patient and wait for the right moment to use his powers.
While Sonic is home alone, Robotnik attacks! Robotnik escaped from the mushroom planet with the help of a strong echidna named Knuckles. Knuckles wants to find the legendary Master Emerald. This ancient gem has huge power and can change reality.
Suddenly, Miles "Tails" Prower saves Sonic. Tails is a two-tailed fox who looks up to Sonic. He came to warn Sonic about Knuckles. Sonic convinces Tails to help him find the Master Emerald. Meanwhile, Robotnik teams up with his assistant Stone. He tricks Knuckles into helping him find the emerald.
Sonic and Tails follow clues from a map that Longclaw, Sonic's old guardian, gave him. They find a compass in a temple in Siberia. Robotnik and Knuckles catch up to them and chase them down a mountain. Knuckles shares that he lost his family, just like Sonic lost Longclaw. But then, Knuckles and Robotnik steal the compass. Knuckles starts to wonder if Robotnik is truly honorable when he makes fun of Sonic for saving Tails instead of the compass.
Tom saves Sonic and Tails by using a ring to teleport them to the wedding. But it turns out Rachel's fiancé, Randall, and the wedding guests are secret agents! They work for a group called G.U.N. (Guardian Units of Nations). They arrest Sonic, Tails, and Tom. Luckily, Maddie and Rachel, who is now angry, save them. Rachel even makes up with Randall.
Meanwhile, Robotnik and Knuckles find an underwater temple with the Master Emerald. Sonic blames himself for Tails getting hurt. He decides to face Robotnik and Knuckles alone. At the temple, Sonic fights Knuckles to stop him from taking the Master Emerald. Robotnik uses this distraction to grab the emerald. He merges with it, and it explodes, sinking the temple. Robotnik then betrays Knuckles, leaving both Sonic and Knuckles to die.
Sonic and Knuckles work together to escape. Tails rescues them in his biplane. Back in Green Hills, Robotnik uses the emerald's power to create a giant robot that looks like him. Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles team up to fight the robot and its drones. They manage to get the Master Emerald back, but it breaks into seven Chaos Emeralds. Tom and Maddie save Sonic. Sonic uses the Chaos Emeralds to become Super Sonic! He destroys the giant robot, then the emeralds scatter, and he turns back to normal.
After all the excitement, Robotnik is thought to be gone. Knuckles fixes the Master Emerald from its pieces. He makes a promise with Sonic and Tails to protect it from evil. They all start a peaceful life with the Wachowskis.
Meet the Characters
Voice Actors and Their Roles
A super-fast blue hedgehog who can't swim. He wants to be a hero but is sometimes too quick and doesn't think things through. He learns to be a true hero when he teams up with Tails to stop Dr. Robotnik and Knuckles.
- Colleen O'Shaughnessey as Miles "Tails" Prower:
A smart yellow-orange fox who can fly using his two tails. Tails is a genius who invents useful gadgets. He looks up to Sonic and travels to Earth to warn him about Knuckles. He quickly becomes Sonic's best friend. Colleen O'Shaughnessey is the only voice actor from the Sonic the Hedgehog games to voice her character in the movie.
A strong red echidna warrior. He is serious, tough, and sometimes quick to anger, but he has a strong sense of honor. He is the last of his tribe. He first works with Robotnik to find the Master Emerald. But when Robotnik betrays him, Knuckles becomes friends with Sonic and Tails and helps them defeat Robotnik.
- Donna J. Fulks as Longclaw:
A brown owl who was Sonic's mentor and guardian. She used to protect the Master Emerald. She appears in flashbacks and a special message hidden in Sonic's map.
Live-Action Actors and Their Roles
A crazy scientist and Sonic's main enemy. He often calls himself "Eggman." After escaping from the mushroom planet, Robotnik teams up with Knuckles to get revenge on Sonic and find the Master Emerald.
- James Marsden as Tom Wachowski / Donutlord:
The sheriff of Green Hills, Montana, and like a father figure to Sonic. He goes to Hawaii with his wife, Maddie, for a wedding.
- Tika Sumpter as Maddie Wachowski:
Tom's wife and a local veterinarian in Green Hills. She is like a mother figure to Sonic. She goes to Hawaii with Tom for her sister's wedding.
- Natasha Rothwell as Rachel:
Maddie's older sister. She doesn't like Tom much at first but tries to get along for her wedding to Randall.
- Adam Pally as Wade Whipple:
The deputy sheriff of Green Hills and Tom's friend. He takes over as sheriff while Tom is away.
- Shemar Moore as Randall Handel:
Rachel's fiancé and a G.U.N. agent. He is set to become Jojo's stepfather.
- Lee Majdoub as Agent Stone:
Robotnik's loyal assistant.
- Tom Butler as Commander Walters:
The leader of the military group G.U.N.
- Melody Nosipho Niemann as Jojo:
Rachel's daughter and Tom and Maddie's niece.
How the Movie Was Made
Creating the Story
After the first movie, actor James Marsden said he wanted a sequel with more video game characters, like Tails. Director Jeff Fowler also wanted to explore Sonic and Tails' friendship. The writers, Pat Casey and Josh Miller, were interested in a sequel too.
In May 2020, Paramount Pictures officially said a sequel was happening. Fowler would direct again, and Casey and Miller would write. The film's title, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, was announced in February 2021. The story was inspired by the video games Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (1992) and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (1994). Director Fowler said the movie was a "melting pot" of ideas from many Sonic games.
Choosing the Actors
Jim Carrey was excited to return as Dr. Robotnik, feeling there was more to explore with the character. James Marsden also signed on for more movies.
In January 2021, Tika Sumpter confirmed she would be back as Maddie. In March 2021, it was confirmed that Ben Schwartz and Jim Carrey would return as Sonic and Robotnik. Adam Pally also came back as Wade.
A big announcement came in August 2021: Idris Elba would voice Knuckles the Echidna! Director Jeff Fowler wanted Knuckles to be like his early game appearances, focusing on his honor as a warrior. Later, Colleen O'Shaughnessey announced she would return to voice Miles "Tails" Prower, which made many fans happy.
Filming Locations
Filming for Sonic the Hedgehog 2 began on March 15, 2021. It took place in Vancouver and Hawaii. The movie had a secret working title, Emerald Hill, which is a reference to a level in the Sonic the Hedgehog 2 video game.
To thank the crew, Jim Carrey even gave away a car in a raffle! Filming in Vancouver finished on May 12, 2021, and all filming wrapped up in Hawaii on June 25, 2021.
Special Effects and Animation
The amazing visual effects and animation for the movie were done by Sega's Marza Animation Planet and Moving Picture Company. These companies also worked on the first Sonic movie. Another company, DNEG, helped create the mushroom planet and the inside of Robotnik's giant robot.
Movie Music
Tom Holkenborg, who composed the music for the first film, returned to create the score for Sonic the Hedgehog 2. The movie also featured an original song called "Stars in the Sky" by Kid Cudi. The soundtrack album was released on April 8, 2022.
For the movie's release in Japan, a special song called "Up on the Green Hill" was used as the main theme. This song is an English version of a track by the band Dreams Come True. The band's member, Masato Nakamura, actually composed the music for the first two Sonic video games!
Movie Release
Promoting the Film
The first look at the movie came with a teaser poster in December 2021. A day later, the first trailer was shown at The Game Awards 2021. Fans loved the trailer, especially Idris Elba's voice as Knuckles. People noticed how much better the reaction was compared to the first movie's early trailer.
Leading up to the Super Bowl LVI, Paramount released several TV ads showing new scenes and the Giant Eggman Robot. A special TV spot even aired during the Super Bowl on February 13, 2022. There was a small issue when Colleen O'Shaughnessey's name was left off the first theatrical poster, but updated posters quickly fixed this. The final trailer was released on March 14, 2022. Another poster was also revealed, which looked like the classic North American box art for the original Sonic the Hedgehog 2 video game.
When and Where It Was Released
On March 1, 2022, Paramount decided not to release the film in Russia due to the conflict in Ukraine.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 first came out in international countries like France and the Netherlands on March 30, 2022. It then came to the United Kingdom on April 1, 2022. The movie had its big world premiere in Los Angeles on April 5, 2022. It was then released in the United States on April 8, 2022.
Watching at Home
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 became available to download and stream on Paramount+ on May 24, 2022. It was also released on DVD, Blu-ray, and Ultra HD Blu-ray on August 9, 2022.
Like the first movie, the home releases include a special short film called Sonic Drone Home. In this animated short, Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles fight one of Robotnik's drones in a junkyard.
What's Next for Sonic?
In February 2022, Sega and Paramount Pictures confirmed exciting news! They are working on Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and a TV show about Knuckles. Idris Elba will voice Knuckles in the show, which is expected to be on Paramount+ in 2023. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is planned for release on December 20, 2024.
After Jim Carrey said he might stop acting, the movie producers said they wouldn't replace him as Dr. Robotnik if he retired. However, they still hope to write a script so good that he'll want to return for more movies!
Images for kids
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Theatrical release poster
See also
In Spanish: Sonic 2, la película para niños
